The dark side of Religion is when people begin to believe their own merit, good works, moral compass, right standing, knowledge, anointing or calling makes them “saved,” “worthy,” or “holy.” This mentality enables pride, power, and division in the way of inequality, believing people are better than others, right over others, separate from others. Throughout the ages of religion, there has been abuse, atrocities, slander, oppression, taxation, murders, criminalization, every corruption known to humanity has shown up in the organized church world just as much as everywhere else. People have been using organized religion for profits, prestige, power since forever. Or, perhaps, people just want to go to a church on Sunday and belong to a group. Maybe people just want to feel good without ever getting to know God. These approaches to Christianity creates a dead religion. The dark side of religion is that people can modify anything, and then use it just like any other tool. The good news is that people do not create God. God is here, just not always in our religion.  

I started believing in Jesus at the age of nineteen after studying an array of spirituality. The first church I attended, taught that religion was a term used to explain rules and regulations, not necessarily created by God, but people. To this day, I agree. Religion is often seen as going to church on Sundays and obeying something like the ten commandments. Too often, organized religious groups become about how to behave accordingly. As Christians, we want our character to be loving though, not at the sake of pretending, or lying to ourselves about who we are and what we do. The dark side of religion is when it becomes about what the human wants instead of embracing the ways of God.

Jesus’s message to the religious people was in fact to stop hurting people. In Matthew 23, Jesus reproofs the Pharisees and teachers of the law that oppressed the public. He mentions how religion puts heavy loads on peoples shoulders, how people do not practice what they preach, how church can be more about how you look than God, and that true matters of justice, mercy, & faithfulness are neglected. Matthew 18:6 warns to not cause anyone else to stumble, to not cause sin in another person’s life, to not give cause for hatred, and resent towards the church. Matthew 12, talks about religion as brood of vipers with a heart full of evil that cannot say or do anything good. These kinds of people do not represent God, but themselves.

When people represent an establishment like a church, and constantly choose to take biblical concepts out of context for the use of personal gain and power- it is abuse. Religion has always been developed through human parameters. Many religions depend on rules and systems to keep the religion active as a spiritual practice, though systems don’t reach into the heart of a person and fill them with love and worth. Unfortunately, human agendas take prominence in a lot of the churches around the world instead of the leadership and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

The church is made up of people participating in a faith, and all of us are in different places in our personal walks and spiritual development. When a group of people get together and are sincerely seeking God, people can learn. When people get together for a show, a ritual, not much will change. People create organized church. In Christianity, there are wonderful churches, and not so wonderful. We just need to remember that not every organized religious group is going to resemble God, but that there are also ones that do, and we can learn from both. 

Christianity in it’s true nature is a welcoming spirituality that focuses on a personal relationship with our creator, not performing for holiness. Being a Christian is engaging in a spirit filled life with the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and father God. Within this relationship there is personal growth, healing, and new attitudes that grow, and there is a deep acceptance of God’s love for ourself and others.

Many people do Christianity into a mere religion, something distant, something human made. It is important to separate the human being from God. This way you can know God on your own. We all struggle with being loving and putting others above ourselves and at some point we will all disappoint one another. Just because people fail, God’s not the scapegoat.

The suffering of the world is enough to make anyone loose heart, but Christianity is an act of humility. It is a faith of giving, gentleness, and love in the mists of suffering. It is a lifestyle of service and acceptance of others. Christianity should never be used to represent a narrow approach to values, human rights, or freedoms. In Christ there is freedom, people embracing their identity and own relationship with God.